Duravant's Food Sorting and Handling Group has announced the appointment of Dean Ekkaia as director of product management for optical sorting solutions. In this role, Ekkaia will manage global activities that support development and sales of advanced sorting technologies that help food processors and packers optimize product quality, increase yield, and maximize production efficiencies.

“For the first time, we're combining the optical sorting expertise of Key Technology, Multiscan, and WECO under unified product management. This strategic consolidation allows us to accelerate innovation while fostering better collaboration between our teams, delivering superior equipment and aftermarket services that give our customers stronger competitive advantages,” says Jack Lee, Duravant group president - food sorting and handling. “Dean's proven track record of growing product lines and translating complex technology into practical customer-focused solutions makes him uniquely qualified to guide these industry-leading brands.”

Ekkaia brings more than 15 years of experience in product management and leadership for automation and food processing equipment. Most recently, he served as an independent consultant advising on industrial product management strategies, including AI adoption. Prior to that, he spent nearly seven years at Bühler in product management leadership roles, including as global product management director. Ekkaia earned an MBA from the University of North Dakota and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. He holds a certificate in product management from University of California, Berkeley, and is a co-inventor on several patents.

“Optical sorters represent a unique data leverage point because they inspect every single object that passes through the line—every nut, every blueberry, every French fry. Food processors are seeking sorting solutions that go beyond basic defect and foreign material removal, including AI-driven capabilities and sophisticated data analytics that can achieve more traceability and reveal otherwise undetected patterns,” says Ekkaia. “Ultimately, what motivates me every day is knowing the products our sorters inspect go on to feed families just like mine. It's a privilege to help advance technologies that contribute to safer, better food for everyone."

Related: WECO, Multiscan appoint president